If you like it, go for it. But I do have one piece of advise. My mother and father have a rattan/wicker headboard. It is framed in wood with rattan panels. Growing up my brother thought it was fun to play GI Joe. He took the one of the posts off the headboard and proceeded to shot it like a gun. While doing this, he proceeded to puncture several holes straight through the rattan. There were atleast 8 very noticeable holes. I don't know how rough your children play, but I would keep that in mind. My brother rarely played rough. I was the rougher child, but he did ruin my parents headboard in about 10 minutes of playtime.

I don't think your leather sofa is ugly at all! The wood looks a little dull, though. Have you tried polishing it up?

The first set looks like it's inspired by the British colonial plantation look. I like it. I also like the second set, but it reads much more casual to me. I would like it for a sun room or protected lanai.

I don't think there is anything wrong with choosing that style. It is very casual and cottage/beach/British-French Colonial and I'm sure you can make it work in your house. But I wonder if it will be comfortable enough as your main TV-watching, lounging furniture. Also, as Sunshine said, I wonder if it really will hold up to the kids. Depending on the design, it might have spindles and rungs and little decorative pieces that might look like ladders to wee ones.

My MIL had some very nice caned panels on her family room sofa set I always loved. They spoke back to the inset caned panels on her very formal dining room chairs. Your first set would be lovely in a not FORMAL living room. The second set I would not choose for inside. My SIL has wicker furniture in what should be her formal living room. They use the room so little she has never bothered to really decorate it. She has spent $$$$ on redoing the rest of her home. It looks very odd, and makes many visitors scratch their head. I agree with happyladi, your leather sofa is worth keeping and working with!

Sorry, but I am partial to the Stickley sofa!

Knowing your home style helps, but I'd also like to know where you live. Not exactly, just an idea what part of the world/country can make a difference in what style could work.

Thanks for all the advice.

I should clarify that the leather pictured is what I almost got, not what I have! My current one is...not so nice. I do like the Stickley sofa and it's a wonderfully durable design between all the wood and leather but it's somehow wrong for the place.

I'd be more inclined to get the solid heavy rattan type over the more delicate woven and wicker. I've had pretty good luck with wicker but the heavier Tiki style seems sturdier and a better style.

The home style is sort of 1950s ranch, mostly original. It should have a Tiki bar. I'm located in CA and the window is the main feature of the room (meaning the backyard is the main feature). It opens out onto a patio, orange trees, and swimming pool. Definitely not formal! Ceiling fans everywhere (I could replace the fan in the living room with something tropical I guess).

WE don't have a style. We just have a bunch of stuff we've inherited or liked or needed. The room is sort of open to other rooms but the only thing in it that has to stay is a honkin' big fish tank that doesn't go with any decor.

I don't think the styles I linked above are quite right. And I don't think I want to go with the 50s pretzel arms. But something in between.

Thanks for the info fori. I'd say both your home style and location would easily work for some rattan furniture. Go for it.

Thanks JB. I think I'll try to find something good in rattan. Something like MBDial's wonderful chairs. Here, go peek at the cool chairs and offer advice for her:

Here is a link that might be useful: Mbdial needs fireplace advice and has nice rattan chairs

I'd check out Craigslist. Good wicker/rattan is expensive new, especially since you'll need good support/springs and cushions for a main living area. I see high-end rattan sets all the time around her for a song, with outdated fabric. They can generally been recovered fairly cheaply. I just recovered our sofa (6 cushions) and rocker (2 cushions) in our sunroom for less than $150. (I purchased the fabric)
Dee

Unless you live in Miami, have roommates named Blanche and Rose and the terms "Shady Pines" and "douche-bag" routinely pop up in conversation, I would avoid the all-rattan looks pictured. ;-)

Sorry, but how often does the opportunity to reference the Golden Girls appear on GW? I couldn't resist! Seriously though, I'm sure a rattan couch could be really nice. Personally I would head for modern over Tiki. Have you checked out Room and Board, or Crate and Barrel? They have lots of sexy sofas that would look right at home in a 50's ranch, especially one with orange trees and a pool...

You're welcome Fori. Checking Craigslist or local thrift and used furniture stores is a great idea if you can recover the chairs yourself. Good luck finding the perfect set!

With kids in the house, comfort and function comes first. The wicker will not hold up to the test of time with an active family using it every day. And, it does look like it belongs on a sun porch.
The rattan would not be too bad as long as it is comfortable. The pillow are loose and they will lood awful after a while. Unless they are hard and stiff, which you probably would not want.
Why not a couch with semi attached cushions? The key is really good quality fabric. We have chairs and sofa from Ethan Allen. Each chair cost almost as much as the couch. But fifteen years later, they still look great. The couch is showing signs of wear. But I can't complain after fifteen years!
Lots of people use leather for young families. I personally do not like leather. But that is a matter of tast.
A thread was psoted about bedbugs. Beware CL for upholstered furniture! Some even feel you really need to even sterilize wood pieces.

Golly. Craigslist was a bad idea. Should I start another post on "is it tacky to put a TV on a vintage Tiki bar"?

I think I can answer that myself.

We don't have bedbugs in my area but I'd certainly take insect precautions with any used furniture purchase (I like antiques but used upholstery is really pushing it for me). I'd be more concerned about scabies, fleas, or head lice. Good luck spotting a mite!

I think the rattan (first pic) could look fabulous! It would take you out of the predictable same old, same old. Personally I'm not a fan of leather so that wouldn't be an option for me. I think the wicker looks a little too sun roomish and visually light. If it were me I'd avoid purchasing an entire set (sofa, loveseat, chair, ottoman, and tables) to keep it from being too matchy-matchy. Good luck!!

Check out this fabulous redo of rattan. Makes me want a set.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shannon Berrey Design

You're right about getting a whole set, Funnygirl. Somehow it would look TOTALLY patio furniture if it all matched.

Dez, great link--that's the stuff! Actually made to be indoors, relegated to basements and garages for decades. I'd probably balk at spraypainting them when they were such fabulous shape but I suspect it's often needed with the older ones.

This reminds me that I had originally planned to make the big fat fish tank less offensive by inserting wicker or cane panels into the doors of its stand. Apparently I've had this on the brain longer than I realized. How embarrassing.